Local scientists say they have developed a new treatment for diabetic foot ulcers, one of the most common complications suffered by diabetics.

The breakthrough was made by a team of researchers under Professor Koh Gyu-young of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Doctor Cho Chung-hyun of GenExel Sein Incorporated, an affiliate bio-medicine venture of KAIST.

The scientists announced Tuesday that they had discovered a new protein treatment dubbed “COMP-Ang1,” which facilitates growth in blood vessels and heals diabetic foot ulcers. Such ulcers cause decay in a diabetic's feet and can even lead to amputation.

The team's discovery is set to be published in the online edition of "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America."

The study was supported by the ministries of science and technology and of commerce.